Jockey Mike James Scores First Santa Anita Victory

Mike James at Clockers' Corner, Santa Anita.

Apprentice jockey Mikey James scored his first win at The Great Race Place on Saturday, Mar. 13, when he rode Malibu Artiste to an exciting victory in Santa Anita's second race for trainer Paul Aguirre. James and Malibu Artiste held on through the stretch to prevail by a head over jockey Joe Talamo and Twoformeoneforyou.

I spoke to James this morning at Santa Anita and he recalled his experience during the stretch drive. "It was kind of like she knew," he said about the filly. "She reached out, I could feel her stretch her neck to get up there."

Back in the jock's room following the race, James was the victim of the customary hazing, when the other jockeys doused him with "about six buckets of ice water, trash and ketchup."

Congratulations, Mikey, and best of luck for the remainder of the meet!